GETTING TO WEST LOOP

from Downtown Magnificent Mile: 2.5 miles

Chicago's neighborhoods are served by multiple bus and train lines for public transportation. Get fare details, schedule timetables and maps for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) at transitchicago.com. For visitors traveling by suburban commuter train, get station maps and full schedules from Metra at metrarail.com.

Taxis are plentiful and easy to hail in most Chicago neighborhoods. Credit cards are accepted in all cabs by city mandate. It is standard to tip the driver about 15-20% of the fare, plus $1.00-2.00 per bag if the driver assists with luggage. Please note that all fares are subject to change. Get approximate cab fares and distances at taxifarefinder.com.

For motorists, public parking lots, garages and street parking varies by neighborhood. Find streets with metered parking spaces and get meter rates at chicagometers.com.

For cyclists, information on Chicago’s bike share rentals, local bike lanes and bicycle rack parking is available at www.divvybikes.com.

No matter how you get around, you'll have no trouble navigating the city, thanks to Chicago's grid system. The State/Madison intersection marks the origin of the grid—the 0/0 mark—with every eight blocks equaling one mile. State Street divides the city east and west, while Madison Street divides the city north and south. Every address is relative to the 0/0 mark. For example, 900 N. Michigan Avenue is roughly nine blocks north of Madison Street on Michigan Avenue.